What time is Xbox Series Developer Direct 2026? Date, how to watch, and how long Microsoft’s presentation of new products will last

As has been the case every January for the past few years, there will also be an Xbox Developer Direct in early 2026. This digital event will offer a glimpse into the future of Xbox Game Studios and Microsoft in the world of electronic entertainment, with important announcements about several titles coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and in some cases, other competing platforms such as PlayStation 5. In this news item, we summarize everything we know, including the date, duration of the event, and what to expect, as well as the games announced, such as Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation:

When and what time is the Xbox Developer_Direct?

Developer_Direct 2026 will take place on Thursday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. PT. and will be available on Xbox YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels. This time corresponds to the following times across the United States:

• 1:00 p.m. ET
• 12:00 p.m. CT
• 10:00 a.m. PT

This event will last approximately fifty minutes to an hour, in line with previous editions in previous years. It is a live broadcast that can be followed on the official Xbox profiles on platforms such as YouTube or Twitch.

What new video games will be announced at Xbox Developer Direct 2026?

As revealed in the blog post on the official Xbox website, there will be three big stars of the show: Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation.

The reboot of Fable continues to be a thorn in Microsoft’s side, and it is one of the brand’s most eagerly awaited titles in several years after numerous delays. On this occasion, PlayGround Games is expected to reveal key aspects of this role-playing game in depth, such as the new and revamped Albion, showcasing elements such as its gameplay and decision-making and how these will affect each game. This is a historic debt that Xbox owes its fans, so many are eagerly awaiting any updates on the game, no matter how small. There is no specific release date beyond its launch window, set for sometime in 2026.

On the other hand, Forza Horizon 6 is another of the brand’s flagships. After its leap into the multiplatform arena—Forza Horizon 5 arrived on PS5—the new installment of this open-world racing franchise moves the action to Japan. In the Direct, we will be able to see in detail its overwhelming technical aspects, as well as several of the vehicles we will be able to control and locations in the land of the rising sun to visit. In addition, Playground Games is expected to show how the Horizon formula has evolved in this installment, with improvements in physics, dynamic weather, and open-world density. Not surprisingly, the franchise has become one of the major commercial and technical pillars of the Xbox ecosystem.

We also can’t forget one of the most unusual announcements in the video game industry: Beast of Reincarnation. Developed by Game Freak—yes, the creators of the Pokémon series—this new RPG released on Xbox—as well as PC and PS5—stars a girl named Emma and her canine companion, Koo. It is a post-apocalyptic title that is also set in Japan, but in a version of the country devastated after a future cataclysm. It is one of the video games that generated the most excitement after its official reveal, given how unusual it is for Game Freak to stray from Pokémon, and even more so to do so to develop something on platforms outside the Nintendo ecosystem.

Last but not least, aside from what has been announced, we cannot completely rule out the possibility of a last-minute surprise in the form of an unexpected update. One of the names that is being mentioned most among the community is Gears of War: E-Day, about which nothing more has been heard since its announcement in June 2024, other than that it should be released this year. This is an understandable desire on the part of fans of the franchise, who have been waiting a year and a half for new details.

Xbox Developer Direct 2026 is one of the first major events in the video game industry this year, which has only just begun. Far from showcasing games exclusively for the Xbox ecosystem, since the brand shifted towards a multiplatform strategy, this event may also be of interest to PC and PS5 gamers, as two of the three titles that Direct will focus on will also be available on PC and Sony’s console.

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